ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Khan Raeesani said here Wednesday that the Gwadar Port was fully capable to handle bulk cargos and stressed upon the federal government to enhance trade activities at Gawadar Port.
"The federal government should shift bulk cargo activities to this port as it is fully capable to handle bulk cargos," he said during a meeting with Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo.
He said that the people and government of Balochistan were thankful to the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the federal government for their interest in development of Balochistan and assured of his full cooperation to the federal government for its development activities in the province.
The minister informed the Chief Minister that the federal government has prepared various development plans for the development of Balochistan province including supply of clean drinking water, development of precious stone industry, establishing of Export Processing Zone, facility of Utility stores and scheme of tax holidays for Gwadar Port.
He said government has decided that in future all cement export activities would be managed from Gwadar Port while some part of import of wheat and fertilizer would also be shifted on this port.
The shifting of these activities at this port would enhance trade and business activities in Balochistan province besides creation of jobs, he added.
He disclosed that Ministry of Industries and Production was spending 80 percent of its development budget in Balochistan.
He appreciated the cooperation of Chief Minister and Balochistan government with him in development activities, initiated by federal government in Balochistan and assured that the Gawadar Port would be converted into a modern seaport of the world as location of this port is very attractive for the UAE, China and Middle East countries.
Later, Industries Minister and Balochistan Chief Minister visited the office of the Advisor of P.M. on Finance and discussed ways and means about converting the Gwadar Port into Tax Free Zone.
